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Pervomaisk, Luhansk Oblast

Coordinates: 48°37′47″N 38°33′43″E / 48.62972°N 38.56194°E / 48.62972; 38.56194
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Pervomaisk
Первомайськ
Central Pervomaisk
Central Pervomaisk
Flag of Pervomaisk
Coat of arms of Pervomaisk
Pervomaisk is located in Luhansk Oblast
Pervomaisk
Pervomaisk
Pervomaisk is located in Ukraine
Pervomaisk
Pervomaisk
Coordinates: 48°37′47″N 38°33′43″E / 48.62972°N 38.56194°E / 48.62972; 38.56194
Country Ukraine
OblastLuhansk Oblast
RaionAlchevsk Raion
HromadaKadiivka urban hromada
Area
 • Total88.54 km2 (34.19 sq mi)
Elevation
199 m (653 ft)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total36,091
 • Density410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2
Postal code
93200-279
Area code+380-6455
ClimateDfb
Websitehttps://pervomaysklnr.su/

Pervomaisk (Ukrainian: Первомайськ; Russian: Первомайск) is a city in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine, on the left bank of the Luhan River. Pervomaisk is located 71 kilometres (44 mi), by road, from Luhansk, 133 kilometres (83 mi) from Izvarino, where there is the de jure international border between Ukraine and Russia, and 736 kilometres (457 mi) from the capital Kyiv.[1][2]

Pervomaisk came under the control of the breakaway Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) in early 2014,[3] following which the city became a focal point of the war in Donbas, sustaining heavy destruction in the conflict.[4][5] In 2022, Russia declared its annexation of the entirety of Luhansk Oblast, including Pervomaisk, as part of the LPR.[6][7] The population of Pervomaisk is 36,091 (2022 estimate).[8][9]

History

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Founding and early development (1765-1916)

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The history of the city begins with the village of Aleksandrovka, which was founded in 1765, and from the beginning of the 19th century it was part of the Slavyanoserbsk uezd of the Yekaterinoslav Governorate.[10][11] In the second half of the 19th century, coal mining began in the settlement; by then, the settlement was named Petro-Maryevka. In 1872, the Petromaryevsky mine was opened and the Petro-Maryevsky Coal Industry Society [ru] was created.

Soviet era (1917-1990)

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In November 1917, the city was captured by Soviet forces. In 1920, the settlement was renamed Pervomaisk, in honor of International Workers' Day.[11] In 1930, a local newspaper was established.[12]

In 1932, the first cutting machine was developed and tested by Aleksey Bakhmutsky in Pervomaisk.[13] The first analogue of a tunneling machine was also developed in Pervomaysk by Nikolay Chikhachev.[14] In 1934, the first domestic Soviet tunelling machine was assembled at the repair shops of the Pervomaiskugol trust.

During World War II, on 12 July 1942, the town was occupied by advancing German troops;[15][16] on 3 September 1943, it was liberated by units of the 266th Rifle Division (led by Major General Kornei Rebrikov [ru]) of the 32nd Rifle Corps of the 3rd Guards Army of the Southwestern Front during the Donbas strategic offensive.[15]

By 1954, the town's economy was based on coal mining. There was also an electromechanical plant, two evening schools for working youth, five secondary schools, four seven-year schools, two primary schools, six libraries, a cinema, four clubs, and a pioneer house.[17] By 1974, the population reached 45,400 people; in addition, the town now also had a reinforced concrete plant, a shoe factory, a medical school, an evening electromechanical technical school, and a branch of the Kadievka evening mining technical school [ru].[2]

The peak population of 51,025 was reached in January 1989.[18]

Independent Ukraine (1991-2013)

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Pervomaisk remained part of the Ukrainian SSR until its dissolution in 1991, and was from then part of Ukraine.[19] In May 1995, the Government of Ukraine approved a decision on the privatization of the town's housing and communal services department.[20] In 1997, the local branch of the Stakhanov Medical School was transformed into the Pervomaisk Medical School.[21] In September 2012, the Government of Ukraine authorized the privatization of four local coal mines: Pervomaiskaya, Zolotoye, Karbonit, and Toshkovskaya.[22] As of 1 January 2013, the population of Pervomaisk was 38,435.[23]

War in Donbass (2014-2021)

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Ukrainian military roadblock near Pervomaisk in 2014

From 2014, Pervomaisk, as all of Donbas, became caught up in the aftermath of Euromaidan. From April 2014, pro-Russia separatists started taking over parts of the south and east of Ukraine.[24] In April and early May 2014, Luhansk and the surrounding area, including Pervomaisk, was taken over by Russian-backed forces of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR / LNR).[25] The Ukrainian Government launched their Anti-Terrorist Operation in mid-April 2014, with the aim of taking back all territories under separatist control.[26] In May, the 2014 Donbass status referendums were held. The referendums returned an overwhelming majority vote to cede from Ukraine into the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, however they were condemned and considered sham by the west, and did not obtain international recognition.[27][28]

Donbas Battalion near Pervomaisk on 31 July 2014

After several months of little military progress, in July 2014 the Ukrainian forces made sweeping territorial gains, capturing swathes of territory from pro-Russia rebels across Donbas.[29] On 25 July 2014 the Kyiv Post reported that the Ukrainian army push for the city was imminent, and that the separatists had been "chased" by the Ukrainian army from nearby settlements and intended to make Pervomaisk their "last stand".[30] Intense fighting for control of Pervomaisk between the pro-Russia separatists and the Ukrainian army broke out on 28 July 2014, and would wage on throughout August, with both sides claiming control of the city.[31][32] It would later be established that, despite heavy bombardment, the separatists had held Pervomaisk for the whole time.[33][34][35] By September 2014, separatist control of Pervomaisk was undisputed.[36][37]

Throughout 2014, and 2015 there was heavy shelling by the Ukrainian army of Pervomaisk.[4][38] In early January 2015 the civilian population of the city was estimated at between 10,000 and 20,000, down from a pre-war population of 38,435. Pervomaisk attracted international attention in 2015 due to the large-scale level of destruction, the first time that level of destruction of a city had been seen in the war in Donbas.[5] Between 2014 and 2022, the city was effectively a frontier settlement, with the frontlines near the city limits, between Pervomaisk and Popasna.[39] In the years from 2015 to 2022, Pervomaisk would see sporadic shelling, from the Ukrainian side.[40][41]

Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022-present)

[edit]

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pervomaisk has been hit numerous times by Ukrainian shelling, with multiple civilian casualties and fatalities.[42][43][44][45]

After the 2022 battle of Popasna, between March and May, in which the nearby city of Popasna was completely destroyed, Popasna's status as an independent city was abolished in March 2023 by the Russian occupation authorities due to the extent of the destruction, and Popasna, along with several other surrounding areas, was incorporated into Pervomaisk's administrative area.[46] Pervomaisk and Russia's Kaluga region signed a cooperation agreement in June 2022.[47] In mid-2023, it was reported that repairs were being carried out to buildings in Pervomaisk which had been damaged by shelling. Russian authorities reported that it was planned to repair or rebuild 29 apartment houses, five social infrastructure facilities and 11 infrastructural assets in Pervomaisk. The repairs were being carried out by Russia's Kaluga region, which is partnered with Pervomaisk.[47]

Demographics

[edit]
Population history
YearPop.±% p.a.
1989 51,025—    
2001 38,800−2.26%
2013 38,435−0.08%
2015 15,000−37.53%
2022 36,091+13.36%

Ethnicity as of the Ukrainian Census of 2001:[48]

Native language as of the 2001 census:[48]

Economy

[edit]

The city's pre-war economy was focused on the mining industry, with several working mines around Pervomaisk.[2]

Mines

[edit]
  • Zolotoye
  • Gorskaya
  • Karbonit
  • Toshkovskaya
  • Pervomaiskaya

Factories

[edit]

Other businesses

[edit]
  • Pervomaisk Mine-boring Department for Drilling Shafts and Wells
  • Pervomaisk Mine Coonstruction Department
  • Mikhailovskaya Central Processing Plant

Due to the ongoing war, many mines, factories and businesses in Pervomaisk are either closed, or not in operation. The static inverter plant of HVDC Volgograd–Donbass is located to the northeast of the city.[49]

Geography

[edit]

Pervomaisk is located in a traditional mining region, and surrounded by mines.[2]

Pervovmaisk is 63 kilometres (39 mi) from Izvarino, where there is the de jure international border between Ukraine and Russia, however during the war in Donbas, the LPR took control of the border, in autumn 2014.[1] From autumn 2014 until late 2022, Izvarino would serve as a border between the LPR and Russia. After Russia's annexation referendums of September 2022, Izvarino has served as a checkpoint between the LPR, and Rostov Oblast.[6]

Notable Natives

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Fighting rages on despite declared truce". BBC News. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Encyclopedia". Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Кабмин назвал города Донбасса, подконтрольные сепаратистам" [Cabinet of Ministers names Donbass cities controlled by separatists]. Korrespondent.net (in Russian). 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Drones Allow People to Witness War at a 'Visceral Level,' Says Filmmaker in Ukraine". 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Ukraine's forgotten city destroyed by war". 7 January 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Moscow's proxies in occupied Ukraine regions report big votes to join Russia". Reuters. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  7. ^ Walker, Shaun (23 September 2022). "'Referendums' on joining Russia under way in occupied Ukraine". the Guardian. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  8. ^ Чисельність наявного населення України на 1 січня 2022 [Number of Present Population of Ukraine, as of January 1, 2022] (PDF) (in Ukrainian and English). Kyiv: State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Ukrainian troops liberate Pervomaisk, Kalynove, Komyshuvakha in west of Luhansk region – ATO press center".
  10. ^ Первомайск // Большой энциклопедический словарь (в 2-х тт.). / редколл., гл. ред. А. М. Прохоров. том 2. М., «Советская энциклопедия», 1991. стр.12
  11. ^ a b Первомайск // Украинская Советская Энциклопедия. том 8. Киев, «Украинская Советская энциклопедия», 1982. стр.173
  12. ^ № 2906. По ленинскому пути // Летопись периодических и продолжающихся изданий СССР 1986 – 1990. Часть 2. Газеты. М., «Книжная палата», 1994. стр.381
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  19. ^ "Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine". 16 July 1990. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Перелік об'єктів, що підлягають обов'язковій приватизації у 1995 році" [List of facilities subject to compulsory privatization in 1995]. Official website of the Parliament of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Про вдосконалення мережі вищих та професійно-технічних навчальних закладів" [On improving the network of higher and vocational educational institutions]. Official website of the Parliament of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 27 December 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Про затвердження переліку об'єктів державної власності, які підлягають приватизації у 2012-2014 роках, та критеріїв визначення способу їх приватизації" [On approval of the list of state-owned objects to be privatized in 2012-2014 and the criteria for determining the method of their privatization]. Official website of the Parliament of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). 24 July 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Чисельність наявного населення України на 1 січня 2013 року. Державна служба статистики України. Київ, 2013. стор.74" [The number of the existing population of Ukraine as of January 1, 2013. State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Kyiv, 2013. p. 74] (PDF). database.ukrcensus.gov.ua. 1 February 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Ukraine crisis: Casualties in Sloviansk gun battles". BBC News. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
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  27. ^ "Russia Calls for "Civilized Implementation" of East Ukraine Referendum Results". The Wall Street Journal. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Russia recognises Ukraine separatist regions". BBC News. 21 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ "Ukraine marks 7th anniversary of Kramatorsk, Sloviansk liberation". Spiritual Front. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  30. ^ Miller, Christopher J. (24 July 2014). "Jul. 25, 2014". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  31. ^ "ATO forces take over Debaltseve, Shakhtarsk, Torez, Lutuhyne, fighting for Pervomaisk and Snizhne underway – ATO press center".
  32. ^ "MH17: AFP again abandon bid to reach Malaysia Airlines crash site after driving into battle zone". au.news.yahoo.com. 29 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Ukrainian troops liberate Pervomaisk, Kalynove, Komyshuvakha in west of Luhansk region – ATO press center". Interfax-Ukraine. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  34. ^ "ATO forces release Pervomaisk, Komyshuvakha and Kalynove". Ukrinform. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  35. ^ "Fierce fighting under way near Donetsk and Luhansk for control over strategic roads – Kyiv".
  36. ^ "Лисенко обіцяє, що Первомайськ скоро звільнять". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). 15 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  37. ^ Luhn, Alec (15 August 2014). "Ukraine claims conflict with pro-Russia rebels entering endgame". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  38. ^ "ЛНР: Украинские силовики обстреляли Первомайск из минометов" [LPR: Ukrainian security forces shelled Pervomaisk with mortars]. ВЗГЛЯД.РУ (in Russian). 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  39. ^ УНИАН редакция (12 January 2015). "СМИ опубликовали точную карту линии разграничения сил на Донбассе". СМИ опубликовали точную карту линии разграничения сил на Донбассе (in Russian). Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  40. ^ "В ЛНР заявили об обстреле Первомайска с украинской стороны" [LPR announces shelling of Pervomaisk from Ukrainian side]. Interfax.ru (in Russian). 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  41. ^ "ВСУ обстреляли Донбасс за несколько часов до перемирия". РИА Новости (in Russian). 20 July 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  42. ^ "ВСУ обстреляли луганский Первомайск" [Ukrainian forces shelled Pervomaisk in the Lugansk area]. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  43. ^ "ВСУ обстреляли Первомайск в ЛНР" [Ukrainian Forces Shelled Pervomaisk in the LNR]. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Pro-Russia Militia Blitzes Ukrainian Stronghold With Battery of Howitzers". 10 June 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  45. ^ "Ukrainian artillery strike ruins petrol station in Pervomaisk, damages two homes, communication lines - mayor". 8 June 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  46. ^ "The Ukrainian Cities Obliterated In Russia's Self-Proclaimed 'Liberation'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 11 June 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Roof repairs completed on 17 apartment buildings in Pervomaisk". 6 June 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.}
  48. ^ a b "Офіційна сторінка Всеукраїнського перепису населення". Ukrcensus.gov.ua. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  49. ^ Cory, B.J., Adamson, C., Ainsworth, J.D., Freris, L.L., Funke, B., Harris, L.A., Sykes, J.H.M., High voltage direct current converters and systems, Macdonald & Co. (publishers) Ltd, 1965, p242.